Podcast Academy

GigaVox CTO Doug Kaye is featured on the latest edition of “The Scoble Show.” This program was recorded in Doug’s home studio. Robert and Doug discuss the history of IT Conversations, and the internal content management system that has evolved into GigaVox Audio Lite. The second part of this program features a live software demo.

Back in the early days of producing/engineering audio programs for IT Conversations, things were very different in terms of the specific work-flow. For example, audio production engineers manually assembled content and segments using their favorite multi-track editor, mixed down the project, and subsequently preformed additional processing stages prior to uploading the finished program to our server.

We were required to upload two variations, or file formats: AAC [m4a] and MP3. Eventually we phased out AAC distribution. These days, thanks to our internal component show assembly system, all manual aspects of show assembly and MP3 encoding are no longer necessary. [read about GigaVox Audio Lite, our component assembly system ... soon to be available to the public].

Prior to the discontinuation of AAC distribution, I set out to find an alternative method or application that would do one thing and do it well: focus on AAC audio encoding for assignments. Why not use iTunes? I support iTunes whole heartedly. However to me, this is a media player and niche` content management system. I never use iTunes for file conversions or encoding.

The purpose of this post in to reintroduce AAChoo, my favorite AAC encoder, and how this encoder may come in handy for you if you produce Enhanced Podcasts using Podcast Maker or something similar.

AAChoo is a simple drag and drop encoder that offers full customization options to suit your needs. This tool also retains the last group of settings and does not require repetitive calibration. It’s fast, easy to use, and the results are excellent.

In my opinion, Podcast Maker is one of the most well designed and useful applications for podcasters. This application will accept: mp3, m4a, mov, mp4, and m4v media files for possible enhanced podcast management. In most cases the production source file that is saved out by the producer is in the WAV or AIFF file format. This needs to be converted to .m4a in order to prepare it for Podcast Maker. A quick drag and drop on to AAChoo and your new source file is ready to be incorporated into the enhanced podcast work-flow. Chapters and art work can be added, and so on …

The underlying concept is as follows: uncompressed source file to m4a –> done. Using AAChoo for the primary conversion, you can take advantage of the wonderful features that are available in Podcast Maker, and at the same time maintain a high level of audio quality.

I’m aware that Quicktime is an option for the encoding stage. However integration is tedious compared to the drag - drop and encode efficiency offered by AAChoo.

Links:

Potion Factory
Ovolab

For those that are interested, Doug Kaye put up a post about how we are leveraging Amazon Web Services for the GigaVox Media platform (currently in by-invitation-only alpha test). You can read Doug’s post here.

Do you believe in magic? The Levelator™ audio processor designed and distributed by GigaVox Media has created quite a stir among podcasters as well as audio and broadcast professionals.

I recommend that you tune in to our latest episode of Behind the Mic, hosted by Doug Kaye. Doug’s guest is GigaVox Audio Engineer Bruce Sharpe, the developer of the Levelator™. This is an in depth talk about the concept of the Levelator™, the process of developement, and suggested work-flows. Don’t miss it …

- ptfigg.

The new and improved Levelator™ is available for immediate download. This is a stand alone processor designed to help correct variations in levels in your audio files.

Besides a brand new look, the processing algorithm has been improved. This includes improved handeling of background noise and a reduction in ‘breathing’ and ‘pumping’ artifacts in the processed files. This is a must have tool for producers. Best of all … it’s free.

-ptfigg.

GigaVox Media is determined to improve your podcast/videocast production work-flow and efficiency in the very near future. If you have a few minutes to spare, please access the link for the GigaVox Media Survey.

We are confident that suggestions and feedback provided by the community at large will help us to maximize the quality of potential services offered.

There are many exciting things planned … so stay tuned.

Thanks for your help.

-ptfigg.